Reversed arch shoes

ABSTRACT

A reversed arch pair of shoes for enhanced athletic performance, reduced injury, and pain reduction. The right shoe has an arch on the right side, and an extended toebox that extends forward and rightward, the toebox extending forward a distance beyond an area that supports the right big toe. The left shoe has an arch on the left side, and an extended toebox that extends forward and leftward, the toebox extending forward a distance beyond an area that supports the left big toe. The shoes can help people recovering from knee and hip replacements, and can also alleviate conditions which are exacerbated by walking or running. The shoe can also release pressure on the back by improving the wearer&#39;s posture, thereby resulting in less back pain. The shoes can help any athlete who wishes to run faster, jump higher, and accelerate more rapidly, thereby providing an advantage in any sport.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to shoes, and particularly to shoes forenhanced athletic performance and improved biomechanical function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A pair of shoes includes a right shoe and a left shoe. Traditionally, ina right shoe, the arch of the shoe is on the left side, and the toeboxis curved leftward. In a left shoe, the arch of the shoe istraditionally on the right side, and the toebox is curved rightward.

When one wears a traditional pair of shoes, one eventually feelspressure points. Also, there can be inadequate pronation of each foot.Pronation of the foot is the turning the sole of the foot outward sothat the inner edge of the arch of the foot bears the weight whenstanding.

Further, with each step that one takes in a traditional shoe, the archof the shoe pushes up against the foot and locks the knee, therebypreventing the knee from beneficially absorbing impacts and mechanicalshocks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Each shoe of the reversed arch shoes of the invention includes anextended toebox that provides better balance and stabilizes the wearermore than a traditional toebox. The extended toebox provides improvedleverage, the toebox storing and releasing energy like a spring when thetoebox is flexed during each stride.

The reversed arch shoes are innovative in that the location of the archin each shoe is the opposite of the location of the arch in traditionalshoes. Also, the direction of curvature of the “midline curve” of thereversed arch shoes is the opposite of the direction of curvature ascompared with traditional shoes. These innovative features serve toalleviate pressure points. The non-traditional fit of the reversed archshoes relieves pressure from the ankles to the knees and thighs.

Pronation is defined as rotation of the medial bones in the midtarsalregion of the foot inward and downward, such that while standing,walking, or running the foot tends to come down on its inner side. Topronate means to turn (the sole of the foot) outward so that the inneredge of the foot bears most of one's weight while standing, walking, orrunning.

To encourage pronation, the reversed arch shoe includes an arch supportlocated on the opposite side of a traditional shoe. Also, the toebox ofeach shoe curves in a direction opposite to a traditional shoe, andextends further forward than the toebox of a traditional shoe, therebyproviding a portion of the toebox not covered by the toes that can beleveraged by the toes, thereby acting like a fulcrum, this portion ofthe toebox also storing energy like a spring. The portion of the toeboxnot covered by the toes is made to be resilient, thereby storing springenergy that is released with each stride, which can improve athleticperformance. The storing and release of spring energy with each stepalso gives the wearer a “spring” in their step, thereby enhancing one'snatural gait.

Even though the reversed arch shoe includes an arch support on theopposite side of a traditional shoe, the shoe still provides support tothe midfoot area.

Thus, there are two aspects of the reversed arch shoes that aredifferent from a typical pair of shoes—the shape and size of the toebox,and the location of the arch in each shoe.

Traditionally, on a right shoe, the arch is on the left side of the shoeand the toebox is curved leftward, and on a left shoe, the arch is onthe right side of the shoe and the toebox is curved rightward.

In the reversed arch shoe of the invention, on the right shoe, the archis on the right side of the shoe and the toebox is curved rightward, andon the left shoe, the arch is on the left side of the shoe and thetoebox is curved leftward. To provide a comfortable fit, the length ofthe toebox is greater than a standard shoe. In some embodiments, thetoebox provides more room for the big toe, providing at least ½ inch to1 inch of clearance.

Causing each foot to pronate un-locks the knees, so each knee can actmore like a shock-absorber, thereby reducing shock and impacts to therest of the body. Standing in the shoes of the invention changesstanding posture so as to take pressure off the lower back.

With each step that one takes in a traditional shoe, the arch pushes upand one's knees tend to lock. With the reversed arch shoes of theinvention, because the arch is on the outside, one's knees areencouraged not to lock, instead acting more like shock absorbers whilewalking. One's knees become less restricted, and one is able to releasepressure more easily, which enables one to propel one's body forwardwith less effort.

The shoe of the invention can be used for hiking, athletics, officework, medical, dental, or as everyday shoes.

The reversed arch shoes of the invention provide unprecedented healthand athletic performance benefits. For example, the shoes of theinvention can alleviate pressure points. The non-traditional fit canrelieve pressure from the ankles to the knees and thighs. This can helppeople recovering from various ailments, including knee or hipreplacements.

The shoes can also help to alleviate various conditions which areexacerbated by pain or pressure from walking or running. In apreliminary test, the shoe of the invention assisted a patient who had aloss of equilibrium, resulting in the wearer being able to walk in amore stable manner than before.

The shoe can also release pressure on the back by improving the wearer'sposture, thereby resulting in less back pain.

The reversed arch shoe can help any athlete who wishes to run fasterthan others, and will provide an edge in any sport. The takeoff of arunner wearing the reversed arch shoes can be almost two times fasterthan typical runners. The shoe also provides in an increase inacceleration for the person wearing them. When used by a high-jumpathlete, the athlete can jump higher than when wearing normal shoes.

A general aspect of the invention is a reversed arch pair of shoes forenhanced performance and reduced injury, each shoe configured to supporta foot, each shoe having an area configured to support a big toe of thefoot, and an area configured to support a ball of the foot. The pair ofshoes includes: a right shoe configured to be worn on a right foot, theright shoe having a right side and a left side, the right shoe having anarch on the right side, and having an extended toebox that is extendsforward and rightward, the extended toebox extending forward a distancebeyond a center of an area configured to support the right big toe, thedistance being at least a distance from a center of the area configuredto support the ball of the right foot to a center of the area configuredto support the right big toe; and a left shoe configured to be worn on aleft foot, the left shoe having a right side and a left side, the leftshoe having an arch on the left side, and having an extended toebox thatis extends forward and leftward, the extended toebox extending forward adistance beyond a center of an area configured to support the left bigtoe, the distance being at least a distance from a center of the areaconfigured to support the ball of the left foot to a center of the areaconfigured to support the left big toe.

In some embodiments, the extended toebox of the right shoe and the leftshoe includes an area that extends at least ½ inch to 1 inch beyond thearea configured to support the right big toe and the left big toe,respectively.

In some embodiments, for both the right shoe and the left shoe, theextended toebox is configured to store and release spring energy witheach stride.

In some embodiments, the arch of both the right shoe and the left shoeis configured to encourage pronation of the right food and the leftfoot, respectively.

Another general aspect of the invention is a reversed arch pair of shoesfor enhanced performance and reduced injury, each shoe of the reversedarch pair of shoes having a right side and a left side. This reversedarch pair of shoes includes: a right shoe configured to be worn on aright foot having an arch on the right side, and having an extendedtoebox that extends forward and rightward; and a left shoe configured tobe worn on a left foot having an arch on the left side, and having anextended toebox that extends forward and leftward.

In some embodiments, for both the right shoe and the left shoe, theextended toebox extends forward a substantial distance beyond an area ofthe shoe that is configured to support a big toe.

In some embodiments, the substantial distance is equal to at least adistance from a center of the area configured to support a ball of thefoot to a center of the area configured to support a big toe of thefoot.

In some embodiments, the extended toebox of each shoe includes an areathat extends forward at least ½ inch to 1 inch beyond the areaconfigured to support a big toe of the foot.

In some embodiments, for both the right shoe and the left shoe, theextended toebox is configured to store and release spring energy witheach stride.

In some embodiments, the arch of both the right shoe and the left shoeis configured to encourage pronation of the right food and the leftfoot, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood from the following DetailedDescription, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a reversed arch shoe for a right foot, showingthe toe guard, toe box vent holes, foxing, and triple stich.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the right shoe of FIG. 1 , also showing a dashedoutline of a right foot while wearing the shoe.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the right shoe of FIG. 1 , also showing thereversed arch on the right side of the right shoe.

FIG. 4 is front right side view of the right shoe of FIG. 1 , alsoshowing a dashed outline of a right foot while wearing the shoe, thereversed arch supporting the right side of the right foot.

FIG. 5A is a rear view of the right shoe of FIG. 1 , showing the heel ofthe right shoe.

FIG. 5B is a rear cross-sectional view of the right shoe of FIG. 1 ,showing a cross section of the arch located on the right side of theright shoe.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the outline of the sole of the reversed archright shoe of FIG. 1 , superimposed upon the outline of the sole of astandard right shoe, and showing how the toebox of the reversed archright shoe extends beyond the toebox of a standard right shoe.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the outline of the sole of the reversed archright shoe of FIG. 1 , superimposed upon the dashed outline of a rightfoot wearing the right shoe, showing how the toebox of the reversed archright shoe extends beyond the smaller toes of the right foot, therebyproviding a resilient portion that stores and releases energy with eachstride.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the outline of the sole of the reversed archright shoe of FIG. 1 , superimposed upon the dashed outline of a rightfoot wearing the right shoe, showing some exemplary dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1 , a top view is presented of a reversed archshoe 100 for a right foot. This view shows that the reversed arch shoe100 has some recognizable features similar to the features of typicalknown shoes, such as a toe guard 102, a vamp 104, vent holes 106, triplestich 108, and foxing 110. Also shown is the rear flat portion 112 ofthe insole, and a tongue 114.

With reference to FIG. 2 , unlike all known shoes, the reversed archshoe 100 has a uniquely shaped toe box 200, the toe box 200 being thesection that surrounds the toes 202 (shown in dashed line) of the rightfoot 204 (shown in dashed line) that wears the reversed arch shoe 100.The toe box 200 starts so as to include the right-most toe, and ends atthe toe guard 102, substantially beyond even the left-most toe. The ventholes 106 provide ventilation for the toes 202.

A reversed arch shoe for a left foot is the structural mirror image ofthe reversed arch shoe 100 for the right foot.

With reference to FIG. 3 , a reversed arch 300 is located on the rightside of the reversed arch shoe 100 for the right foot. The reversed arch300 includes an arch support 302, and an arch ramp 304 that rises fromthe flat portion 112 of the insole at the rear and at the left side ofthe shoe 100, to the arch support 302 on the right side of the shoe 100.The arch ramp 304 then extends as a layer under the arch support 302.See FIG. 5B for a rear cross-sectional view of the arch 300.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a front right side view of the right reversed archshoe 100 is presented, also showing a dotted outline of the right foot204 with toes 202 while wearing the shoe 100. The arch 300 is shownsupporting the right side of the right foot 204. The arch ramp 304 isshown as a layer under the arch support 302 on the right side of theshoe 100. The toes 202 have generous clearance within the toe box 200,which has an extended foxing 110 that extends up to the toe guard 102.

Referring to FIG. 5A is a rear view of the right shoe of FIG. 1 ,showing the outsole 500 and the midsole 502 of the right shoe 100. Thisview shows that the rear of the reversed arch shoe 100 has some of therecognizable features similar to the features of typical known shoes,such as the triple stitch 108, and the tongue 114.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional rear view of the right shoe of FIG. 1 ,showing a cross section of the arch 300 located on the right side of themiddle area along the right shoe 100. Also shown is the tongue 114 andthe midsole 502 of the right shoe 100. The key is that the arch 300 ison the right side of the right reversed arch shoe 100, as compared witha standard shoe having an arch on its left side.

With reference to FIG. 6 , a top view is shown of an outline 600 of thesole of the reversed arch right shoe 100, superimposed upon the outline602 of the sole of a typical known right shoe of the same shoe size,e.g., “size 10”, showing how the extended toebox 200 of the reversedarch right shoe 100 extends beyond the toebox of a typical known rightshoe.

The shoe 100 has an area 604 of the insole that can support the big toeof the foot 204, and has an area 606 of the insole that can support theball of the foot 204.

The right shoe 100 is configured to be worn on a right foot, has an arch300 on the right side, and has an extended toebox 200 that extends inthe front-rightward direction.

The extended toebox 200 extends forward a distance beyond a center 610of the area 604 that is configured to support the right big toe, thedistance being at least a distance from a center 608 of the area 606configured to support the ball of the right foot to the center of 610the area 604 configured to support the right big toe.

For example, the extended toebox 200 of the right shoe (and the leftshoe) includes an area that extends forward at least ½ inch to 1 inchbeyond the farthest extent of the area 604 configured to support theright big toe (and the left big toe).

The extended toebox 200 is able to bend with each stride, and thereforecan store and release spring energy with each stride, which providesfunctional and athletic performance enhancement. The arch 300 of boththe right shoe and the left shoe is able to encourage pronation of theright food and the left foot, respectively, which confers therapeuticand athletic performance enhancement.

Referring to FIG. 7 , a top view is provided of the outline 600 of thesole of the reversed arch right shoe 100 of FIG. 1 , surrounding thedashed outline 204 of a right foot wearing the right shoe 100, showinghow the toebox 200 of the reversed arch right shoe 100 extends bothfrontward and rightward beyond the smaller toes 203 of the right foot,thereby providing a resilient portion 700 of the shoe 100 that extendsfrom the ends of the toes 202, 203 of the foot 204 to the frontmost andrightmost boundary of the outline 600, the resilient portion 700 beingcapable of storing and releasing energy with each stride.

With reference to FIG. 8 , a top view is provided of the outline 600 ofthe sole of the reversed arch right shoe 100 of FIG. 1 , superimposedupon a dashed outline of a right foot 204 wearing the right shoe 100,showing some exemplary dimensions for a Size 10 right shoe. The lengthof this version of the shoe 100 is 12.5 inches. There is a span of 1.0inches from the tip of the largest toe 202 to the toe guard 102 of theshoe. The width of the shoe 100 at its widest point is 4.658 inches, andthe width at the narrowest point is 3 inches.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the inventionas claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limitthe invention, except as indicated in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reversed arch pair of shoes for enhancedperformance and reduced injury, each shoe configured to support a foot,each shoe having an area configured to support a big toe of the foot,and an area configured to support a ball of the foot, the pair of shoescomprising: a right shoe configured to be worn on a right foot, theright shoe having a right side and a left side, the right shoe having anarch on the right side, and having an extended toebox that is extendsforward and rightward, the extended toebox extending forward a distancebeyond a center of an area configured to support the right big toe, thedistance being at least a distance from a center of the area configuredto support the ball of the right foot to a center of the area configuredto support the right big toe; and a left shoe configured to be worn on aleft foot, the left shoe having a right side and a left side, the leftshoe having an arch on the left side, and having an extended toebox thatis extends forward and leftward, the extended toebox extending forward adistance beyond a center of an area configured to support the left bigtoe, the distance being at least a distance from a center of the areaconfigured to support the ball of the left foot to a center of the areaconfigured to support the left big toe.
 2. The reversed arch pair ofshoes of claim 1, wherein the extended toebox of the right shoe and theleft shoe includes an area that extends at least ½ inch to 1 inch beyondthe area configured to support the right big toe and the left big toe,respectively.
 3. The reversed arch pair of shoes of claim 1, wherein forboth the right shoe and the left shoe, the extended toebox is configuredto store and release spring energy with each stride.
 4. The reversedarch pair of shoes of claim 1, wherein the arch of both the right shoeand the left shoe is configured to encourage pronation of the right foodand the left foot, respectively.
 5. A reversed arch pair of shoes forenhanced performance and reduced injury, each shoe of the reversed archpair of shoes having a right side and a left side, the reversed archpair of shoes comprising: a right shoe configured to be worn on a rightfoot having an arch on the right side, and having an extended toeboxthat extends forward and rightward; and a left shoe configured to beworn on a left foot having an arch on the left side, and having anextended toebox that extends forward and leftward.
 6. The reversed archpair of shoes of claim 5, wherein for both the right shoe and the leftshoe, the extended toebox extends forward a substantial distance beyondan area of the shoe that is configured to support a big toe.
 7. Thereversed arch pair of shoes of claim 6, wherein the substantial distanceis equal to at least a distance from a center of the area configured tosupport a ball of the foot to a center of the area configured to supporta big toe of the foot.
 8. The reversed arch pair of shoes of claim 5,wherein the extended toebox of each shoe includes an area that extendsforward at least ½ inch to 1 inch beyond the area configured to supporta big toe of the foot.
 9. The reversed arch pair of shoes of claim 5,wherein for both the right shoe and the left shoe, the extended toeboxis configured to store and release spring energy with each stride. 10.The reversed arch pair of shoes of claim 5, wherein the arch of both theright shoe and the left shoe is configured to encourage pronation of theright food and the left foot, respectively.